TLDR = quick summary of what’s up with Mozilla Webmaker this week.

• Notes from Tuesday’s Webmaker community call
  
• Join the next one
  
• stay in touch | past updates
  

Open Badges 1.0: coverage, reaction and new demos

The Mozilla blog post tells the story. Plus check out:

• Erin Knight’s demo presentation. In Popcorn and You Tube
• Press coverage of the 1.0 launch so far
• List of new features and improvements in 1.0
• Re-designed web site. Earn a badge, issue badges, check out who else is issuing badges.
• “Badges for Vets” are using ipod nanos to wear their digital badges. Cool huh?

¡Aye Caramba! SIX new Webmaker projects this week!

• Swapjack the sound (Popcorn) — experiment with remixing and swapping in new audio to change the meaning and impact of any video
• Finish the graffiti tag (Thimble) — use CSS to complete the tag
• Create a six word memoir (Thimble) — the National Writing Project wants you to write a beautiful six-word memoir — while learning the HTML and CSS that goes into making your own page.

• Help the alien fit in with humans (Thimble) — use your CSS skills to dress Keeakochek in, ahem, more human clothes and help him avoid Area 51.
• Write a beautiful proposal (Thimble) — what are the elements — written and web — that make a winning proposal?
• Build your online portfolio (Thimble) — put to work the learning you’ve done on projects you’ve completed to create an online portfolio

Popcorn for your webcam: help test this new feature

What if you could record directly from your web cam straight into Popcorn Maker? Well  guess what — the future is here! Or rather: the future is ready for testing and bug-filing.

Here’s how to play-test it:

1. Go here
2. Click the “record from webcam button.” This loads the You Tube uploader tool.
3. If you aren’t already signed in to a Google account, you’ll be prompted to sign in.
4. Flash will prompt you for access to your webcam. Click Allow or Deny access and leave the tool.
5. You should now see your webcam feed. Click Start Recording to begin.
6. Review what you’ve recorded, or click Upload to upload to You Tube.
7. Once uploaded, You Tube will take some time processing and converting the video.
8. Once done, You Tube will give Popcorn Maker the link to your newly uploaded video and added it to your media gallery, ready to be Popcorn-ized!

Report bugs or make suggestions here. More context and a full HOW TO is here.

#teachtheweb

The idea is simple: use the hashtag #teachtheweb to ask for and offer help. For mentors, instructors, and anyone interested in helping to teach digital literacy and webmaking. For example:

“I’m looking for someone to help teach Javascript at a webmaking event in Athens. #teachtheweb”

You can also offer help. Say, for example:

“I work with youth at my hackerspace and am happy to share activities they like. #teachtheweb”

It’s not just for event needs or offers — use it for learning resources, inspirational stories, feedback, etc.

• Dive in! Write a tweet, respond to one. Let us know what you think.
• See it in action
• More context on Michelle’s blog
• Teach the web. Get free resources and kits for teaching webmaking, connect with other mentors, or start a network in your hometown. webmaker.org/teach has you covered.

Making is Learning: project-based learning in action

It feels efficacious and powerful to make something from nothing. –Chad Sansing, educator

Laura Hilliger made this video about a classroom in Virginia using the project-based approach to teach kids with learning disabilities and difficulty following “traditional” learning paths. Including how they’re using Thimble. Inspiring to see these principles in action.

Planet Webmaker roundup

• The New York Times education blog on the “Six Word Memoir” project. And on the Hive NYC Kickflip program.
• Webmaker and Hive NYC on Greek national television. Starting at 0:55.
• Workshopping Interactive Video with Popcorn. Great post and video about a workshop on interactive video.

• Hacktivity Kits explained. Teaching guides and resources for teaching webmakering. They’re modular. They’re hackable. They’re fun. How do they work?

• Mentor Mob and Open Badges. MentorMob and Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago are teaching girls how to build Android Apps, then showing off new skills by adding digital badges to a digital sash.

• A few words about Web Components. And why Pomax is in love with them.